Here's why:
* Lethal: This term directly refers to the outcome - the death of the individual.
* Genes: These are the units of heredity responsible for the development and functioning of an organism.
Lethal genes can act in various ways:
* Recessive Lethal: These genes only cause death when two copies of the gene are present (homozygous).
* Dominant Lethal: These genes cause death even when only one copy is present (heterozygous). This is less common as it would eliminate the gene from the population quickly.
Examples of lethal genes:
* Cystic Fibrosis: A recessive lethal condition that affects the lungs and digestive system.
* Huntington's Disease: A dominant lethal condition that affects the nervous system.
It's important to note that not all genes that cause developmental abnormalities are lethal. Many genetic conditions cause significant health problems but do not necessarily lead to death.
